Mom as the photographer?

kristina08

Do you think it's ok for the MoB to be the wedding photographer? She's established, but still budding and hasn't done a ton of weddings yet. I know she'd shoot any shots I wanted but she's old fashioned and isn't a fan of editing the pics (like to get the 'faded' look etc). Your opinions rock, send them on! -KK-

ravenray

I feel like a no one this one.  It is great that she wants to do it for you but doesn't she want to be involved in your wedding?  Ultimately it is your choice and if you would rather have someone who is more established and your mother be just your mother (there to support you on your big day) then don't do it.  Personally I would never want my mother to do that because then there wouldn't be any nice pictures of me and her.  No pictures of her during the ceremony...  Just my preference.

SSaltzman87

She'd miss out on actually enjoying your wedding if she were the photographer. Also, if you end up not liking the pictures-that could be really awkward. I'd leave this to someone who isn't a friend or family member.

ravenray

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_moms-maids_mom-photographer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:357Discussion:a4e75d32-24a5-47e4-80c5-5325c1208f9bPost:cc0016a5-9bb0-4ddd-9525-ae1277be4ff5">Re: Mom as the photographer?</a>:
[QUOTE]She'd miss out on actually enjoying your wedding if she were the photographer. Also, if you end up not liking the pictures-that could be really awkward. I'd leave this to someone who isn't a friend or family member.
Posted by SSaltzman87[/QUOTE]
<span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%;font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif';">She has a great point about not liking the pictures.<span>  </span>I just went to someone’s wedding and they had a friend do them.<span>  </span>He did a terrible job on the posed photos and at the actual wedding he only took pictures of his family and people HE knew.<span>  </span>Not one single picture of the bride’s family!<span>  </span>I felt terrible for her :(</span>

aerinpegadrak

She should be in front of the camera, not behind it.  Most photography enthusiasts will bring their cameras anyway and get some great shots for you, but you should hire someone to take the pressure off her so she can enjoy herself.

MairePoppy

Being the MOB is a special role. Your mom should enjoy the day, rather than work at your wedding. Even if she doesn't think of this as work, it would be difficult to function well in both roles. How will she get those family shots, with her in them?

Aside from that, it sounds like your mom's photography style doesn't suit your needs. You probably wouldn't hire her if you didn't know her, right? I'm not a big fan of having relatives perform professional services at weddings. You have no recourse if things don't turn out right. And it can put a strain on relationships.

She should still bring her camera to the wedding. She will probably be great at getting some candid shots that your photographer might not think about. But hire a professional photographer, so the whole job isn't in mom's hands.

jemmini6

Do you want any pictures of you and your mother on your wedding day?  Who is going to take those? 

It's just a bad idea...her daughter is getting married.  I'm sure enjoying the day with you is much more important than building her portfolio.

AutumnFair

Definitely no immediate family should be the photographer. I usually do not suggest family nor friends to do a person's photography unless the Bride/Groom is really tight on cash to the point of it wouldn't be done or the person is a very well established professional wedding photographer. Just like reasons stated above the MOB is apart of the wedding and the big "what ifs" of pictures turning out are two biggies. If she wants to do pictures, I suggest engagement pictures other then that, hire a professional and let your mom enjoy the day with you.

nannewmur

MOB is a role that everyone sees.  If it were me and I was photographer and MOB, I would be running around and probably make a lot of enemies!  There will be constant interuptions from family and friends who may not realize she is the photog and this could cause a lot of delay in wedding festivities.  I could understand maybe having mom do the cake but at the wedding she is MOB and that is a very visible roll and should not be photographer!!  It will be well worth the money and I would just tell mom that you want her to enjoy the day and be available if you need her!!

kristina08

Thanks everyone! I had almost decided to decline her offer, but wanted to get another opinion on the matter. You guys literally said what I had been thinking!
I really appreciate the help! Happy planning!!
KK

[Deleted User]

I know you've already made your decision (a good one at that ) but I figured I'd throw in my two cents. 

I'm an amateur photographer (if you can't tell from my username) and it would be a HUGE amount of pressure to take pictures for a friend or family member.  I was in a wedding two summers ago and go a lot of amazing shots for the bride and she was ecstatic about them, but there was also a professional photographer there.  That way I got the shots I wanted with no pressure, and she also got pictures of me as part of the wedding. 

If your mom is into photography you'll probably get a lot of great shots anyway.

sarah42nd

My FIL is a photgrapher on the side but we didn't use him because we wanted him to enjoy the wedding . Now he still brought his camera and took a few shots but thats about it. I say no.

kellylynn87

As a seasoned pro wedding photographer myself with over 25 years of experience I vote no.  Last weekend I was the Step mom of the Groom and we hired a friend who is also a pro. Even though I was only the step mom the day was amazing and flew by so fast, I was happy I didn't have the burden of making sure I had every shot the couple wanted plus all the others. Tell you mom to just enjoy being the mother of the bride, she'll have more fun!

DeeDee00

I have a friend who's mother is a phtographer. and she is taking my pictues. howerver for her daughters wedding. she did not take pictures because u should be focused on ur daughters day. however she carried her camera around at the entire recption taking pictures. so she still got a lot of pics. her mother took her engagement pics. and she had prof. bridal pictures and her mom also tood bridal pics. they came out very diff. but its fun to have the variation. 

My mother took my engagement pictures. and i ended up with 650. thats also a plus u get to keep every picture. whereas prof. only gives u a certain amt. however i would go prof. for the wedding. 

Muffin'sMom

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_moms-maids_mom-photographer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:357Discussion:a4e75d32-24a5-47e4-80c5-5325c1208f9bPost:313e22ad-ccc0-403e-9a01-a797af6f28f0">Re: Mom as the photographer?</a>:
[QUOTE]Being the MOB is a special role. Your mom should enjoy the day, rather than work at your wedding. Even if she doesn't think of this as work, it would be difficult to function well in both roles. How will she get those family shots, with her in them? Aside from that, it sounds like your mom's photography style doesn't suit your needs. You probably wouldn't hire her if you didn't know her, right? I'm not a big fan of having relatives perform professional services at weddings. You have no recourse if things don't turn out right. And it can put a strain on relationships. She should still bring her camera to the wedding. She will probably be great at getting some candid shots that your photographer might not think about. But hire a professional photographer, so the whole job isn't in mom's hands.
Posted by MairePoppy[/QUOTE]

This!!!!  You want her NEXT to you, not in FRONT of you!